Apparatus and method for strength conditioning

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for conditioning and strengthening an individual comprising a housing defining a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid such that the housing can be provided with a predetermined weight and at least two handles extending from the housing. The handles are spatially disposed on the housing so as to permit the individual to lift the housing. The housing and corresponding fluid retaining chamber each have a substantially hourglass profile viewed from the upper side and the lower side. Also, the housing further comprises at least two openings extending through the housing from the upper side to the lower side and equally spaced on opposite sides of a center line of the housing, and each of the openings is traversed by one of the handles.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/408,407, filed Oct. 29, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/448,522, filed Mar. 2, 2011, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to athletic training devices, and more particularly, to a conditioning and strengthening apparatus and method of using a conditioning and strengthening apparatus.

2. Brief Description of Related Art

A number of devices exist that allow an individual to exercise and condition one's body. These devices include static weight type exercise equipment, such as solid dumbbells and free weight/bar combinations. However, these devices have the disadvantage that the weight is fixed and cannot be shifted during use thus permitting the uneven lifting of weights.

Accordingly, a need exists for an apparatus and method that conditions and strengthens various muscle groups of an individual's body and which requires an individual to exert equal force to balance the weight during a lift. It is to such an apparatus and method that the present invention is directed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conditioning and strengthening apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the conditioning and strengthening apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-4, shown therein is a perspective view of an apparatus 10 for conditioning and strengthening an individual. The apparatus 10 includes a housing 14 and a plurality of handles 16. The housing 14 defines a fluid retaining chamber 20 (FIG. 3) and is provided with an opening which is in fluid communication with the fluid retaining chamber 20 so that fluid can be introduced into or withdrawn from the fluid retaining chamber 20. A removable cover 24 in the form of a plug or cap, for example, is provided for sealing the opening. A valve stem and the like may also be used to seal the opening 22.

The housing 14 has an upper side 30, a lower side 32 opposite the first side 30, a first end 34, a second end 36 opposite the first end 34, a first side 38, and a second side 40 opposite the first side 38. In one embodiment, the first and second sides 38 and 40 have a curvilinear shape while the upper side 30 and the lower side 32 are substantially planar. In such a configuration, the housing 14 and the fluid retaining chamber 20 have a substantially hourglass or dumbbell profile viewed from the upper side and the lower side (FIG. 3).

The housing 14 further comprises at least two openings 42 extending through the housing 14 from the upper side 30 to the lower side 32 and equally spaced on opposite sides of a center line 44 of the housing 14. The openings 42 a and 42 b provide access to the handles 16 a and 16 b from the upper side 30 and the lower side 32 of the housing 14. Each of the openings 42 a and 42 b is traversed by one of the handles 16 a and 16 b, respectively. In one embodiment, the handles 16 a and 16 b are axially aligned with a longitudinal axis 46 of the housing 14. The openings 42 a and 42 b, and thus the handles 16 a and 16 b, are spaced so that an individual can grasp the handles 16 and lift the apparatus 10. Lifting the apparatus 10, with or without fluid, allows for conditioning and strengthening of the arms, upper torso, and legs of an individual.

The housing 14 further has notches 48 a and 48 b formed on the first end 34 and the second end 36, respectively, extending from the upper side 30 to the lower side 32. Furthermore, a handle 16 c and traverses the notch 48 a, and a handle 16 d traverses the notch 48 b. The handles 16 c and 16 d extend parallel to one another and are oriented in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis 46 of the housing 14.

The housing 14 and the handles 16 may be fabricated from any suitable material such as canvas, rubber, or any polymeric material. By way of example, the housing 14 and the handles 16 may be constructed from a resilient material having an elastomeric memory which allows the housing 14 and the handles 16 to return to their original shape after being lifted.

The fluid retaining chamber 20 is adapted to receive fluid. The fluid may be any substance that flows and takes the shape of the fluid retaining chamber 20, such as a liquid, a gas, sand and the like. The fluid is disposed in the fluid chamber 20 in an amount sufficient to provide the housing 14 with a predetermined or desired weight.

The size of the housing 14 and the capacity of the fluid retaining chamber 20 can vary widely so as to provide an apparatus suitable for use by individuals of various size and strength. That is, for children the housing 14 can be small in size and may have an empty fluid retaining chamber 20. In contrast, the housing 14 for men would be larger and the fluid retaining chamber 20 may contain a large volume of fluid to increase the weight of the apparatus 10.

The apparatus 10 may also include a frame (not shown) embedded within the housing 14 for increasing the structural integrity of the housing 14 and the plurality of handles 16. Any suitable construction may be used so that the frame supports and provides structural integrity to the housing 14 and the handles 16. The frame may be constructed into any desired shape such as an oval, ellipse, or square. However, the frame is desirably provided with a configuration corresponding to the peripheral configuration of the housing 14.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate another embodiment of an apparatus 10 a for conditioning and strengthening an individual. The apparatus 10 a includes a housing 14 a and a plurality of handles 50. The housing 14 a is similar to the housing 14 in that the housing 14 a is shown to have a generally hourglass or dumbbell shape. The handles 50 a and 50 b traverse a first pair of openings 52 a and 52 b formed through the housing 14 a. The openings 52 a and 52 b provide access to the handles 50 a and 50 b from the upper surface 30 and the lower surface 32 of the housing 14 a. The housing 14 a includes a second pair of openings 54 a and 54 b positioned outside of the openings 50 a and 50 b and traversed by handles 52 c and 52 d. As illustrated, the handles 52 c and 52 d are oriented similarly to the orientation of the handles 16 a and 16 b described above in reference to the apparatus 10. However, the handles 52 a and 52 b are oriented in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis 46 of the housing 14 a.

The apparatus 10 a is further provided with a pair of handles 56 a and 56 b formed at the first and second ends 34 and 36 of the housing 14 a in a manner similar to that described above in reference to the apparatus 10.

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate another embodiment of an apparatus 10 b for conditioning and strengthening an individual. The apparatus 10 b is similar to the apparatus 10 a except as described below. The apparatus 10 b includes a housing 14 b and a plurality of handles 60. The housing 14 b is similar to the housings 14 and 14 a in that the housing 14 b is shown to have a generally hourglass or dumbbell shape. The handles 60 a and 60 b traverse a first pair of openings 62 a and 62 b formed in the upper side 38 of the housing 14 b. Unlike the openings 52 a and 52 b described above, the openings 62 a and 62 b only extend partially through the housing 14 b as best illustrated in FIG. 9. The housing 14 b includes a second pair of openings 64 a and 64 b positioned outside of the openings 62 a and 62 b and traversed by handles 60 c and 60 d. Again, the openings 64 a and 64 b only extend partially through the housing 14 b As illustrated, the handles 60 a-60 d are oriented similarly to the orientation of the handles 50 a-50 d described above in reference to the apparatus 10 .

The apparatus 10 b is further provided with a pair of handles 66 formed at the first and second ends 34 and 36 of the housing 14 b in a manner similar to that described above in reference to the apparatus 10.

In use, water may be added to the apparatus. Less water equals less weight, more water equals more weight. One gallon of water weighs 8.3 pounds. In one version, the apparatus 10 has the capacity of 26 gallons which provides a maximum weight of approximately 250 pounds. The addition or removal of water allows the weight to be adjusted according to the size and ability of the participant and the activity.

The apparatus 10 can be used as an alternative for barbell work. Furthermore, the apparatus 10 can be used for a dynamic warm-up and finish work apparatus. Because of the water inertia, lower weights can be used to activate stabilizing muscles and engage the core in a wide variety of movements. All pressing and squatting movements, and even standing still and just maintaining balance are enhanced.

Athletes can capture the inertia of water as they move with the apparatus 10. Athletes will work their core and stabilizing muscles by fighting the water as it moves around inside housing. By combining movements with the apparatus 10, athletes will work more areas more thoroughly than with dumbbells or barbells, and usually at a lesser weight.

From the above description it is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the invention. 

1. An apparatus for conditioning and strengthening an individual, comprising: a housing defining a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid such that the housing can be provided with a predetermined weight; and at least two handles extending from the housing, the handles being spatially disposed on the housing so as to permit the individual to lift the housing.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing has an upper side, a lower side opposite the first side, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, and wherein the first and second sides are curvilinear and the upper side and the lower side are substantially planar.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the housing has a substantially hourglass profile viewed from the upper side and the lower side and wherein the fluid retaining chamber has a corresponding hourglass profile.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the housing further comprises at least two openings extending through the housing from the upper side to the lower side and equally spaced on opposite sides of a center line of the housing, and wherein each of the openings is traversed by one of the handles.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the handles traversing the openings are axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the housing.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the housing has a notch formed on each of the first and second ends extending from the upper side to the lower side, and wherein at least one handle traverses each of the notches.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the handles traversing the notches extend parallel to one another and are oriented in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the housing further comprises at least two openings extending through the housing from the upper side toward the lower side and equally spaced on opposite sides of a center line of the housing, and wherein each of the openings is traversed by one of the handles.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing is provided with an opening for adding and withdrawing fluid and a cover for sealing the opening.
 10. An apparatus for conditioning and strengthening an individual, comprising: a housing defining a fluid retaining chamber having a predetermined volume and adapted to receive fluid such that the housing can be provided with a predetermined weight; a fluid mass disposed within the fluid retaining chamber, the fluid mass having a predetermined volume less than the predetermined volume of the fluid retaining chamber of the housing so that the fluid mass is movable within the fluid retaining chamber in response to movement of the housing during exercise; and at least two handles extending from the housing, the handles being spatially disposed on the housing so as to permit the individual to lift the housing.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the housing has an upper side, a lower side opposite the first side, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, and wherein the first and second sides are curvilinear and the upper side and the lower side are substantially planar.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the housing has a substantially hourglass profile viewed from the upper side and the lower side and wherein the fluid retaining chamber has a corresponding hourglass profile.
 13. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the housing further comprises at least two openings extending through the housing from the upper side to the lower side and equally spaced on opposite sides of a center line of the housing, and wherein each of the openings is traversed by one of the handles.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the handles traversing the openings are axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the housing.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the housing has a notch formed on each of the first and second ends extending from the upper side to the lower side, and wherein at least one handle traverses each of the notches.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the handles traversing the notches extend parallel to one another and are oriented in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the housing further comprises at least two openings extending through the housing from the upper side toward the lower side and equally spaced on opposite sides of a center line of the housing, and wherein each of the openings is traversed by one of the handles.
 18. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the housing is provided with an opening for adding and withdrawing the fluid mass and a cover for sealing the opening. 